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Sri Lanka: Situation analysis

Sri Lankans went to the polls on the 5th of December to elect its 12th Parliament barely a year after parliamentary elections were held in October 2000.

It has been described as one of the
most violent elections with 50 persons killed during the five week long election
campaign, the election day being the bloodiest with 19 murders
committed.

Over 200 persons, including candidates, were also injured on
election day. Polling was marred by intimidation, vote stuffing, and ballot
grabbing at gunpoint in some places. Nearly 100,000 voters from the uncleared
areas in the war zone were also denied their right to franchise because of the
military blockade [closed the checkpoints on voting day].

The result
however brought in a new coalition government comprising the United National
Party and its allies – the minority Tamil and Muslim parties. The United
National Front government has promised to end the 18 year old ethnic conflict in
Sri Lanka with constitutional reforms, revive the sagging economy, restore law
and order and very specifically advance the status and rights of women. In the
run up to the elections the UNP launched a Women’s Manifesto (Vanitha Diri
Maga). Some of its promises
included 25% reservation for women in nomination lists, shelters for women in
every electorate, and the establishment of a Women’s Council of 50 members to
promote legislation on women.

Women’s groups in Sri Lanka also relaunched
the Women’s Manifesto first issued in the run up to the October 2000 elections
outlining their demands on political participation, law reform, health,
education, the economy, media representation, and conflict as well as changes in
customary laws and harmful cultural and traditional practices. However women’s
representation in Parliament remains at 4%, and only 1 woman has been appointed
to the Cabinet.

Despite the level of election violence and malpractice
the result has restored some semblance of faith in our democracy and also opened
up an opportunity for another attempt to peacefully resolve the conflict, as
President Kumaratunga’s government elected in 1994 failed to live up to its
promise to end the conflict. Peace activists are also trying hard to see if
there is anyway we could influence the peace process.

The LTTE has given
clear signals that it is prepared for peace talks. However there is a
constitutional tangle as President Kumaratunga is from the main opposition
People’s Alliance party. Kumaratunga who will be in power till December 2005,
will now have to work with a hostile parliament led by Prime Minister Ranil
Wickramesingha which has financial and legislative control and the power to
impeach her. The President in turn has the power to prorogue and dissolve
parliament. No one knows how far this government can continue with a small
majority and the President, given her executive powers, could make things
difficult.

However Prime Minister Wickremasinghe in his first speech
made after taking oaths has emphasized the need to create a new political
culture and put an end to confrontational politics. His proposal to form a
government of national reconciliation has however not been accepted by the main
opposition. The country and its people are waiting for the next move of the
government, which has given high priority to the peace
process.